Electric ship propulsion system



COATES 2,@9,5?Q

25, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ELECTRIC SHIP PROPULSION SYSTEM Filed Dec.

aka

July 30, 1935.

July 30, 1935. H. J. COATES 2,0@9,57 5

ELECTRIC SHIP PROPULSION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 25, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENT 0R I HTTURNE Y Juiy 30, 1935. H J CQATES zflfl 'i ELECTRIC SHIP PROPULSION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 25, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 me w 275 197' 7 ORA/E Y Patented July 30, 1935 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SHIP PROPULSION SYSTEM Heerbert John Coates, Erdington,

Birmingham,

England, assignor to The General Electric Company Limited, London, England Application December 23, 1933, Serial No. 703,823 In Great Britain December 23, 193?- 8 Claims.

This invention relates to bridge or remote electric control arrangements for electric ship propulsion systems of the kind having motors which are respectively coupled to port and starboard propellers and which are arranged to be fed from the same generator, speed control being effected by regulation of the excitation or/and speed of the generator, one object being the provision of a simple and reliable remote control arrangement the operation of which calls for no particular efiort or care on the part of the oflicer on watch. Ship propulsion systems of the kind in question are frequently so arranged that the port and starboard motors are at times separately supplied with power from port and starboard generators and at other times are supplied with power from a common generator, either the port generator or the starboard genorator, and an object of the invention is the provision of a control arrangement for exerting control both when the motors are supplied from a common generator or when the motors are supplied irom their individual generators.

In a bridge or remote electrical control arrangement for an electric ship propulsion system having motors which are respectively coupled to port and starboard propellers and which are arranged to be fed from the same generator, speed control of a motor being efiected by regulation of the excitation or/and speed of a generator supplying the motor with power, according to the present invention port and starboard controllers are arranged with ahead and astern positions and when one of the controllers is moved from an operative position to a reverse position, for example, from an ahead to an astern position, common speed control means is controlled by the said controller at least until the means has moved to an initial or off position.

In an electric control arrangement according to th invention, moreover, port and starboard controllers are arranged with ahead and astern positions and movement of a controller from an ahead or astern position to one of its reverse positions results in operation of common speed control means to an initial or off position, operation of port or starboard motor reversing means corresponding to the controller actuated, and operation of the said speed control means to a position dependent on the position of one of the controllers.

In carrying out the invention we prefer to provide in conjunction with port and starboard controllers adapted respectively to control the direction of rotation of the port and starboard motors, means whereby, when one controller is in a lower speed position than the other controllcr, speed control is effected by the former controller.

In one bridge or remote electric control arrangement applied to an electric ship propulsion system having motors which are respectively coupled to port and starboard propellers and which are arranged to be fed separately from difierent generators or from the same generator, speed control of a motor being efiected by regulation of the excitation of a generator supplying the motor with power, the arrangement is such that when the motors are fed from different generators, port and starboard controllers respectively control the direction and speed of the port motor and the starboard motor, whilst when the motors are fed from the same generator, the port and starboard controllers respectively control the direction of the port motor and the direction of L the starboard motor, whilst the speed is controlled by one of the controllers determined by the relative positioning of the two controllers.

The controller eliective to exert the common speed control is selected by a relay that takes up one or other of two positions in dependence on which controller is in the lower speed position, for the purpose of thereby rendering the said controller effective to exert speed control.

The arrangement is such that when a controller adapted to exert common speed control is moved from one operative position to a reverse position, common speed control means are, before reversal of the motor the direction of which is controlled by the said controller, re-

turned to an initial or off position under the joint control of contacts on the controller and contacts associated with the reversing means for the said motor.

One arrangement in accordance with the invention, will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings of which Figure 1 shows the propulsion current circuits for a twin screw Diesel electric vessel employing direct current motors and generators connected for speed control on the Ward-Leonard system together with auxiliary control circuit contacts on the switchgear, whilst Figure 2 shown on two sheets as Fig. 2 and Fig. 2a shows the control circuits therefor.

In the drawings, referring now to Figure 1, the port starboard D. C. generators l, 2 having field windings 3, 4, are each driven by a separate Diesel engine 5, E, which also drives two auxiliary generators 'l, 8. The port propeller is driven by the port motor 9 having a field winding It, whilst the starboard propeller is driven by the starboard motor l l having a field winding Normally the port motor 53 is connected through links it and i i, over lines l5 and l6 through contacts l l, ii) of a four pole selector switch 33 (having in addition contacts i9, 2t, 2t, 22, 23 and 2 3) and over lines '25 and 26 with the port generator E. Similarly the starboard motor ii is normally connected through links 2? and 28, over lines 23, Bill, contacts 2i and of the four pole selector switch 33 and over lines 35, 32 with the starboard generator 2.

If however the four-pole selector switch 33 is moved to its other position in which circuits are adapted to be set up at contacts i9, 29, and 24, a generator selector switch S l is brought into operation, this switch also being a two-way four pole switch makin in its left hand position (as shown) at contacts 37 and 38 and making in its right hand position at contacts 39, it, ll and Assuming now that the four-pole selector switch 33 is in the right-hand position whilst the generator selector switch E l is in the position shown, then it will be seen that a main current circuit is completed from the generator 2 over the line 38, contact 35 of the switch t t, line ,3, contacts 23 of the two way selector switch line 29, link 2?, motor l l, link 28, line 3?, contacts 2 3 of switch 33, line 4%, contacts 35 of switch line 15, contacts 3'5 of switch 3 line #33, contacts i of switch 33, line 25, link 63, motor 9, link it, line lt contacts 23 of switch 33, line ll, contacts 33 of switch 3t and lines 43 and 32 to the other side of the generator 2. It will thus be seen that both motors are then in series with the generator 2.

If the-generator switch 3 5 is, however, in its right-hand position, the switch 38 also being in its right-hand position, it will now be seen that both port and starboard motors are in series with the port generator 1, since a circuit is then completed from one side of generator 5 over line 25, line t9, contact 38', line contacts 23, line 29, link til, motor H, link 28, line at, contact 2d, line is, contact in, line 50, contact it, line 36, contact 89, line l5, link l3, motor 9, link M, line H5, contacts 28, linell, contact 42, line 5! and line 26 to the other side of generator i.

If at any time. it is desired only to run one motor, the other may be put out or" commission by a suitable repositioning of the links H3, M, 2? and 28 as indicated by the interrupted lines.

The auxiliary generators l and 8 driven by the Diesel engines e and '5 respectively are alternatively arranged through a two way two pole switch 52 to energize positive and negative auxiliary supply bus-bars 53 and ti l.

Referring now to Figure 2 in which are shown the diagrammatic control circuits, the port bridge controller 55 and the starboard bridge controller 55 are similar and each controller is similar, as regards its dial markings and its appearance, to an ordinary bridge telegraph. The port controller 55 comprises a handle 5'2 having an o position and ahead and astern positions, a speedpotentiometer 58, a selector potentiometer :EQiand a switching device t t. Similarly the starboard controller 56 comprises a handle 6i having an off position and ahead and astern positions, a speed potentiometer 432', a selector potentiometer E3 and a switching device 64.

' Referring'now to the starboard controller 56,

the speed potentiometer 62 comprises two similar tapped resistances connected in parallel with one another and in series with a further resistance 65 across the auxiliary power supply busbars 66 and 6? connected to the supply busbars 53 and t l respectively; the speed potentiometer 62 also comprises a rotary brush 68 which bridges tapping studs and a metal ring 69 and which in the oil position of the controller connects the ring 63 with the ends of the resistances 62. The selector potentiometer 63 is similar and also comprises two similar tapped resistances connected in parallel with each other and in series with a resistance 2 across the auxiliary supply busbars E6 and El, and comprises a rotary brush H which bridges tapping studs of the resistance 53 and a metal ring it and in the ofi position of the controller connects the ring 12 with the ends of the resistances 63.

The switching device 65 comprises two rotary brushes "i3 and i l which connect segments "15 and it respectively to segments l? and ("i3 in the ahead position w'd, to segments 39 and 3c in the astern' position-of the controller handle El.

in a similar manner, referring now to the port bridge controller he, the speed potentiometer 53 comprises twosirnil'ar tapped resistances 58' con nected in parallel with one another and inse ries with a further resistance 8i across the aura-- iliary power supply busbars and El connected to the supply busbars 53 and 55 respectively, the speed potentiometer 58 also comprises arotar-y brush which bridges tapping studs andametal ring 83 and which in'the -off position of the controller connects the ring 83 with the ends of the resistances The selector potentiometerjlifi is similar and comprises two similar tapped resistances 59 connected in parallel with each other and in series with a resistance 86 connected across the auxiliary supply busbars 66 and bl and comprises a rotary brush 85 which bridges tapping studs of the resistance 5% and a metal ring 86 and in the oii position of the controller connects the ring 85 with the ends of the resistances 59. The switching device 5h associatedwith the port bridge controller '-l' comprises two rotary brushes El and 88 which connect segments'BQ and 59 respectively to segments ti and 92 in the astern position and to segments 93 and M in the ahead position of the controller handle 5i.

The starboard generator field i is connected on one side over a line 5% with the negative busbar and on the other side over a line 9?: to a field contactor Qlclcsing at contacts 3! and having auxiliary contacts 93 controlling a discharge Q resistance 98 and auxiliary contacts Hi9 centrolling an economy resistance till in series with the contactor energizing winding On closure of the field contactor Ell, a circuit is completed' through the generator field 2-, over line M3 and through the contact arm engaging tapp ng on a field resistance 5%, one end or" which is connected to the positive busbar 53 over the line we.

Variation of motor speed control is carried out in known .manner by the variation in the tacts IBBA, normally open auxiliary contacts I I0, normally closed auxiliary contacts III, and changeover contacts H2, H3 of which contacts H2 are normally closed and, of course, contacts H3 are normally open. The ahead contactor Iii? is closed by energization of its actuating winding H4. The cistern contactor H5 is similar to the ahead contactor I8! and comprises normally open main contacts H5 and II! normally closed main contacts iIEA, normally open auxiliary contacts H3, normally closed auxiliary contacts I39 and changeover contacts I20, I2I of which contacts I243 are normally closed and contacts IZI are normally open. The astern contactor I I5 is closed by energization of its actuating winding I22. The contacts 5533A and I are connected through a discharge resistance.

On closing either of the contactors I81, I55 maintenance circuits are completed, for contactor Illl at contacts H3, through an economy resistance H3, and for contactor H5 at contacts IZl through an economy resistance I24.

If the ahead contactor Iiil is closed, a circuit is completed from the positive busbar 53 over the line I25. through the contacts IE8, over line I28, through the starboard motor field over line 922. through contacts I09 and over line I28 to the negative busoar 5%. It will be seen that when contactor It closes, owing to the contacts I I I opening, it is then impossible to complete the circuit of the astern contactor winding I22 and thus to close the astern contactor whilst the ahead contactor is closed. In a similar manner, when the astern contactor H5 is closed it is then impossible to make the circuit through. the coil I It or" the ahead contactor, owing to the opening of the auxiliary Ill? oi the contactor H5. When the astern contactor H5 is closed a circuit is then completed from the positive ousbar over the line #25, over the line I29, through the contacts I Iii, through the motor field I2 in the opposite direction to that described above, over line I"=, through the contacts IITI, over line and line I28 to the negative busbar 54.

The brush ltl i of the field resistance IE5 is carried on a shaft I3! which is arranged to be driven through the intermediary of an electromagnetic clutch having an operating winding I32, by a reversible electric motor I33 having separate field windings I34 and 3'35. The shaft I3! also drives a drum provided with eight contact fingers I38 to I63 which engage with complementary segments I44 to I5I, and a brush I52 which connects tappings on a potentiometer I53 with a metal ring I54. The potentiometer is connected across the supply busbars 53, 54 in series with a resistance I55, through contacts I86 which are auxiliary contacts of the switches 33 and 34 (see Figure 1) and are only closed whilst the starboard generator is in commission.

The ring I 54 is connected over a line I 56 to one side of an operating coil I 58 of a starboard re verse current relay I51 having a voltage coil I59 connected across the supply bus-bars 53 and 54 and having a moving contact I60 biassed to a central or open position but adapted in dependence on the direction of flow of current in the operating coil 658 to engage either a contact IGI or a contact I62. The moving contact ISO is connected over a line 202 and an overpower relay 29I to the negative bus 53. The other side of the operating coil I58 of the starboard reverse current relay I51 is connected over a line I63 with a movable contact member I55 of a selector relay I64 which includes two moving contact members I65 and I65, cooperating with contacts I51, I58 and I59, I'll? respectively and normally each engaging the latter of these contacts i. e. contacts 553 and lit. The selector relay I6 3 includes a voltage coil Iii connected across the supply bus-bars E3 and 5 and an operating coil I'Iil, the connections to which together with the operation of the selector relay will be hereinafter described.

Reverting to the starboard reverse current relay I5], the contact IEI is connected by a line I13 to the coil N5 of a normally open contactor Ilia controlling the circuit to the field winding I34 cf the motor 533. The contactor H5 has associated therewith a pull-on auxiliary contact The contact oi the starboard reverse current relay I5! is connected by a line M8 to one side of a coil tilt) of a normally open contactor I'IQ controlling the circuit to the field winding I35 of the motor I33. The contactor IIS has associated therewith a pull-off ave iliary contact I8I. The other side of the coil is connected by a line I82 through the pull-off auxiliary contact ll? of the contactor I'll), and a line I83 to the finger 5'53 of the drum switch. Similarly the other side of the contactor coil I is connected by a line I84 through the auxiliary contact I8 of the contactor H9 and over a line I85 the finger I42 of the drum switch. The segments I49, I50 and I5I of the drum switch which respectively cooperating with the fingers MI, I42 and I43 are connected together and act as limit switches to effect opening of the clutch contactor I81 the winding I853 of which is connected to finger MI and the contactor I 'IE or the contactor I19 in the extreme positions of the generator field rheostat I 35.

The finger I31 of the drum switch is connected to the positive bus 53 and by a line I89 to one side of the coil I88, the contacts I81, the contacts I16 and the contacts Ilil. The finger I36 of the drum switch is connected to the auxiliary contact Illi of the contactor 5? over a line Iilll and serves to complete a maintenance circuit for the contactor 9?. The finger I38 is connected by a line leI to the metal ring of the switching device 64; finger IE9 is adapted ll '61 line I92 to effect a maintenance circuit for whichever of the direction contactors or H5 is closed.

The astern segment IQ of the switching device 64 is connected by a lead to one side of the auxiliary contacts III the other side of which contacts Hi! is connected by a line IM to one side of the auxiliary contacts H3, and by a line I95 to the line H8. The other side of the auxiliary contacts H8 is connected by a line I96 to the ahead segment ill of the switching device 64. The astern segment 89 of the switching device is connected by a line I9! through the coil l2? of the astern cont-actor I I5 and by the line and through the interlock contacts III on the ahead contactor Iii'i and The arrangement of the control gear for the port motor and genereator is similar to that of the starboard control gear described above. The port generator field 3 is connected on one side over a line with the negative bus-bar 54 and on the other side over a line 2% to a field contactor 2&5 closing at contacts 2535 and having auxiliary contacts controlling a discharge resistance 2M and auxiliary contacts 288 controlling an economy resistance 299 in series with the contactor winding 255. On closure of the field contactor 2%, a circuit is completed through the generator field 3, over the line seen and through a contact 2E9 engaging tap-pings on a generator field rheostat 2i 6, one end of which is connected to the positive bus bar 53 via the line 2! l. direction of rotation :of the port motor 9 is determined by the direction of current flow through the motor field winding H3. Current is supplied to the motor field winding is either through an astern contactor 2 it or through an ahead contactor are. The astern contactor 252 comprises normally open main current contacts 2 normally closed main contacts iBA, normally open auxiliary contacts 2 i 95, normally closed auxiliary contacts 2H5 and change" over contacts 2i? and Rid, of which, changeover contacts '2 i i are normally closed and contacts 2 l8 normally open. The astern contactor 252 is provided with an energizing winding 2 l The ahead contactor is similar to the astern contactor and comprises normally open main contacts 22 i 222, normally closed main oontacts normally open auxiliary contacts normally closed auxiliary contacts 225%, and changeover contacts 225 and 226, of which con tacts are normally closed and contacts are normally open. The ahead contactor also includes an actuating winding 22?. The contacts 22 l'A'and 2 63A are connected through a discharge resistance On closing either of the direction contactors or 22s maintenance circuits are completed, for contactor M2, at contacts 2E3 through an economy resistance 22%? and for contactor 220 at contacts 225 through an economy resistance 2%.

If the astern contactor 252 is closed, a circuit is completed from the positive bus-oar 533 over the line through the contacts M3, over the line through'the port motor field it, over the line 233, through the contacts 2 it and over the line to the negative bus-bar 54. It will be seen that when contactor 2 i 2 closes, owing to the opening of the contacts 25$, it is then impossible to energize the coil 22? of the ahead direction contactor 229. In a similar manner, when the ahead contactor 228 is closed it is then impossible, owing to the opening of auxiliary contacts to complete the circuit of the astern direction contactor 2i 2. When the ahead contactor 22% is closed a circuit is completed from the positi e bus 53 over the line 23 i, contacts 22 i, line 235, line field winding to, line line 3536, contacts and line 234 to the negative bus bar 5-4.

The brush 2% of the generator field rheostat 2m carried on a shaft 23?, which is arranged to be driven through the intermediary of an electromagnetic clutch, the actuating winding 233 of which is only shown, by a reversible electric motor 233 having separate field windings 24B and 2M. The shaft 23'! also drives a drum switch comprising eight contact fingers 242 to Edd which engage with complementary segments 258 to 25?. The segments 25$}, 25!, 252, 253 and 25s are connected together as are the three segments 255, and

25'l. The shaft 231! also drives a brush 258 which connects tappings on a potentiometer 259 with a metal ring 26%. The potentiometer 259 is connected across the supply bus bar 53, 5 1 in series with a resistance 255, through contacts 262 which contacts are auxiliary contacts of the switches 33 and 3 1 (see Figure l) and are only closed whilst the port generator is in commission.

The ring 261' is connected over a line 263 to one side of an operating coil hit of a port reverse current relay 2661, having a voltage coil 2% connected across the supply bus-bars 53 and lid and including a moving contact 26? biassed to a central or open position but adapted in dependence on the direction of flow of current in the operating coil to engage either a contact 258 or a contact The moving contact 263' is connected over a line 2'59 and an overpower relay Zll to the negative bus 53. The other side of the operating coil 2651 is connected by a line iii? to the moving contact of the selector relay act.

The contact 2% of the port reverse current relay 26G is connected by a line 2?? to the operating coil 2% of a contactor 2% having auxiliary normally closed contacts Elli. The contact 253 of the port reverse current relay 2%- is connected by a line Ell to the operating coil 21% of a contactor 2'33 having auxiliary normally closed contacts 2%. The operating coil 275 of the contactor 214 is connected by a line 2M and through the interu look contact 2853 on the contactor Eli and a line with the finger 2&3 on the drum switch. The operating coil 279 of the contactor 238 is connected by a line 283 and through the interlock contact are on the contactor 21 i and over a line with the finger 2&9 on the drum switch.

The circuit of the clutch winding 238 is completed from the negative bus-bar E l over the line coil 238, line 286, contactor 2817 having an actuating winding 288, over lines 289 and 2!! to the positive bus-bar 53. One end of the coil 288 is connected to the line 28%, the other end of the said coil is connected over line 296 with the finger 24? of the drum switch. The contactors Zl l and 2'28 are respectively connected over lines 29! and 292 with the field windings 2 3i and 2 30 of the motor 239. It will thus be seen that the segments 255, 256 and 257 and the cooperating fingers 2M, 2 38 and 249 thus act as limit switches to effect opening of the clutch contactor 28? or one of the contactors 2% 278 in the extreme positions of the generator field rheostat 289.

Of the remaining fingers on the drum switch, the finger 2 33 is connected to the positive bus 54, the finger 242 is connected over a line 293 to make a maintenance circuit for the generator field contactor 265. The ahead segment 93 of the selector switch 69 is connected by a line 294 through the interlock contact 2 l 5 on the astern contactor to a line 295 and to a line 296 connected to one side of the coil Elfi of the contactor 289. The "ahead" segment 9 is connected by a line 29; to one side of the operating coil 22? of the ahead direction contactor 2243. The astern segment 9! of the selector switch 56 is connected through a line 298 and the interlock 223 to the line 295. The other astern segment 92 is connected through a line 2% to one side of the astern contactor closing coil 2E9 The ring 89 of the selector switch Bl is connected to the negative supply line 6i whilst the ring 83 of the speed potentiometer is connected over a line 300 with the contacts l6? and ilil of the selector relay 564.

The ring 72 of the starboard side selector potentiometer is adapted over a line 3! and contacts 3B2, coil H2 and line 303 and coil I of relay it: to be connected to the ring 86 of the port side selector potentiometer 59. The contacts cs2 are auxiliary contacts of the selector switch 33 (see Figure 1) and are only closed when the switch 33 is in its right-hand position, i. e. when bot port and starboard motors are running Oh one g erator either the port or the starboard generator. Moreover the finger 535 on the star 1 n1 controller is adapted to be connected over a line 36:! on closure of contacts 305 and over line 3% with the finger 245 on the port drum controller. The contacts 305 (see Figure 1) are only closed when both motors are running on the port generator, the starboard generator being out of commission.

The finger Hill on the starboard drum 'ontroller g is adapted to be connected over line 361 contacts 20 i 308 and line 365% with the finger 24-5 on the port drum controller. The contacts 388 (see Figure 1) re only closed rhen both motors are connected to the star oard generator, the port generator being out of commission. Finally there is a connection between line E connected to one side of the lower contactor coil H30 and the side of the lower contactor coil 2"?) over the lines 3H3, contacts 3M lines M2 and 296. The contacts 3!! are only closed as are the contacts 3H8 when both the port and starboard motors are running off the starboard generator In or .er new that the invention may more clearly be und rstood there will now be described the general operation of the arrangement shown.

' If new the selector switches 33 and 3 1 are in the position shown in Figure l, the starboard motor is then connected to the starboard generatorand the port motor is connected to the port generator, then the control of each one side is entirely independent of the control of the other side and is eiiected by the bridge controller in a manner hereinafter described.

the other hand, suppose that both port and starboard motors are connected to one generator, for example, the port generator. It is then arranged that the port and starboard controllers respectively control the direction of the port motor and the direction of the starboard motor, whilst the speed is controlled by one only of the controllers, which controller is determined by the relative positioning of the two controllers.

The controller effective to exert the common speed control is selected by a relay that takes up one or other of two positions dependence on which controller is in the lower speed position, for the purpose of ther by rendering the said controller eilective to exert speed control.

The arrangement is such that when a controllcr adapted to exert common speed control is moved from one operative position to a reverse operative position, the common speed means are, before reversal of the motor the direction of which is controlled by the said controller, returned to an initial or on position under the joint control of contacts on the controller and contacts associated with the reversing means for the motor.

The detailed operation will now be described. it is assumed now that both the port and starboard bridge controllers are initially in their off position and that both the Diesel engines 5 and B are running at constant speed. The actual control of these engines may of course be any desired, and of course the generat 1' output may additionally be controlled by speed control of the associated Diesel engines.

If now the selector switches 33 and 34 are in the position shown in Figure 1, then the starboard motor is running from tarboard generator and the port motor is running from port generator. The operation will therefore only be described with reference to the starboard equipment, it being understood that in these circumstances the operation of port and starboard equipment is exactly similar.

Suppose now the starboard controller handle 5% is moved to an ahead position, then a circuit is completed from the positive bus-bar 53, ov r line fir iSl', segment M5, segment i iii, finger line ring 76 of selector switch 5%, brush f l rin l5, line !99, coil H4 of ahead contactor E63, interlock contact H9 of astern contactor H5 and line 3M3 to the negative bus- The ahead contactor it'll accordingly closes completing the field circuit of the ass ciated motor and preparing a retaining circuit for itself at the contact 553 through the economy resistance 523. Owing to the dissimilar positions of the crush 63 on the potentiometer 82 and the brush l52 on the follow-up speed potentiometer I53, a current flows through the reverse current relay l5? from the negative bus 65, through a part of the potentiometer winding 52, brush 68, ring 59, line see, normally closed contact I68 and contact member Hi5 of selector relay i64, line 2'63, coil i538 of reverse current relay I57, line l5ll, ring i il, brush E52, part of the potentiometer windin contacts iSS to the positive bus 53. The reverse current relay l5? accordingly close at contact $55. A circuit is then completed from the negative bus through the overpower relay 2%, over line 21'32, contact Nil, line I13 coil H5 of the raise contactor H6, interlock contacts 18! on the lower contactor 2779, line I35, finger M2, segments 559 and i 59, finger Ml, contactor coil M8 to the positive bus-bar 53. The raise contactor lit accordingly closes and thus completes a circu" from the negative bus 54, through the motor 533 and raise winding i3 1, contactor l'iB, lines E89 and I06 to the positive bus 53. The motor l33 is thus set in rotation; the clutch coil I32 is moreover energized owing to the 010sing of the clutch contactor 181. The motor 133 therefore drives the shaft 53! in such adirection as to decrease the difference of potential between the speed potentiometer 62 and the follow-up potentiometer !52. At the same time the brush 19 i is moved over the generator field rheostat i625 and the segments of the drum switch rotated. Just prior to the disengagement of segment M6, and finger I32, the segment Ml engages the finger i'i and accordingly, through l92, completes the maintenance circuit for the ahead contactor it'll,

The segment 2 14 also engages its associated finger I36 and thus completes the circuit to the coil 32 of the generator field contactor til from the positive bus 53, over the line 5325, finger i-t'l', segments M5 and M l, finger E36, line lsil, normally closed contacts on the field contactor 9i, coil Hi2. and line to the negative bus 54. The field contactor 9'! then closes, the motor H accordingly starts, the speed control thereof thereafter being controlled in known manner by variation of the generator field excitation.

The generator field excitation is controlled. by the moving brush Hid mounted on the shaft l-Zl. This shaft is rotated until the arm moving therewith reaches such a position that there is equality between the potential V of the arm H52 and the brush 68 whereupon the current flowthrough the coil E58 of the reverse current relay Elli ceases. The moving contact of this relay 557 then moves to its central position and disengages the contact lfil. The raised contactor H5 then drops open and causes both the interruption of the circuit to the motor 53 and the dropping out of the clutch contactor till. I'he shaft i-Si and the generator rheostat brush Mi l is therefore arrested in a position corresponding exactly to the speed position of the starboard controller handle 6 l If now the controller handle is moved back towards the Oh position, the balance of the reverse current relay 557i is upset and contact is made atcontactsllii. The lower contactor lid is accordingly energized and the clutch 32 engaged, the motor 833 then moves the shaft l3l and the parts connected therewith until the balance at relay i5? is again restored, the shaft l'ti is then arrested, the rheostat we then being in the new speed setting determined by the position of the handle t l 1 If the handle Si is moved from an ahead position past the oil position to an astern position, a circuit is then completed from the negative bus Ell through the ring l5, brush "i3, ring '59, line 993, contacts HE], line 5335, the coil 18% or" the lower contactor H9 and as before which circuit is not interrupted until the drum etc. has been moved back into the initial ofi position, in which position only is the maintenance circuit for the ahead contactor till broken, the circuits are then made for the closing of the astern contactor 4 l5 which closes, the motor it's is then again energized to move the follow up speed potentiometer brush E52 and, of course, the rheostat brush Hi l to a position corresponding to that of the new astern speed setting of the controller handle iii The port controller and associated apparatus, of course, operate in exactly the same way.

If on the other hand, instead of the starboard motor being connected to the starboard generator and the port motor being connected to the port generator, the switch 33 is in its right hand position, the auxiliary contact 392 will be closed and both the port and starboard motors will be connected to the starboard generator. The auxiliary switches 262 will then be open, so that the port potentiometer follow up gear will be 7 deenergized. The closure of the switch 3G2 connects together the two brushes H, 35 of the selector'potentiometers 63, 59 respectively. If now these two brushes are in dissimilar positions, current fiowsin the operating coil 5 '52 of the selector relay 64 in a direction dependent on which controller is in a lower speed position. The arrangement is such that if the port controller 53 is in the lower speed position, then both the operating coil I58 of the starboard reverse current relay E59 and the operating coil 265 of the port reverse current relay 25 1 are connected through the contacts l6? and Fill of the selector relay Kit to the port speed potentiometer 58 and the pilot motor 533 of the starboard generator is subject to control by the port master controller 55. Similarly if the starboard controller is in the lower speed position, then both the operating coil 2% of the port reverse current relay 2% and the operating coil 153 of the starboard reverse current relay l iii? are connected through contacts l dfi and its of the selector relay lfil to the starboard speed potentiometer 62 and the pilot motor i233 of the starboard generator is subject to control by the starboard master controller 55.

The action is similar if both motors are connected to the port generator by the operation of the switches 33 and 34. The selector switches are of course operated when the generator field rheostats are in their off positions. When the port generator I is rendered ineffective by the selector switches 33 and 3d, auxiliary contacts 252 of the latter switch 3 disconnect the port follow up speed potentiometer 259 from the auxiliary power supply bus W, with the result that the port reverse current relay 254 is inoperative andv the port drum and generator field rheostat me during operation of the starboard generator 2 remain in the off position. Similarly when the starboard generator 2 is rendered inefiective, auxiliary contacts lSG of the selector switches 33 and cause the starboard drum and generator field rheostat 585 during operation of the port generator l to remain in the off position.

Of the three other selector switch auxiliary contacts 385, 338 and 3H that close when the selector switches are operated to connect both motors to the same generator, auxiliary selector switch contact 385 serves to transfer control of the starboard direction contactor Hill, maintaining circuit over the line Hi2 from the starboard drum to the port drum, when the starboard generator is not in use; auxiliary selector switch contact 338 serves to transfer control of the port direction contactor maintaining circuit over the line 385 from the port drum to the starboard drum, when the port generator is not in use; and contacts 3i i, when the port generator 1 is not in use and the port controller 55 is turned from one operative position to a reverse position, renders the switching device 69 of the port controller 55 and a port reversing contactor off auxiliary contact 223 or Bid effective in causing energization of the coil of the starboard lower contactor lid, until the starboard drum is in the 01? position, or which, when the starboard generator 2 is not in use and the starboard controller 55 is turned from one operative position to a reverse position renders the switching device 64 of the starboard controller 56 and a starboard reversing contactor o auxiliary contact i Mi or i it efiective in causing energizat'ion of the coil 219 of the port lower contac'tor 273' until the port drum is in the ofi position.

The operation is similar whether the port generator or the starboard generator is not in use and it will be sufficient to consider the case in which the selector switches 33 and o l have been operated to connect both motors to the starboard generator.

In such case if both controllers 55 and 56, say, are turned from their off positions in one direction, for instance the ahead direction, then, if the positions of controllers 55 and 5S exactly correspond, no current flows in the operating coil N2 of the selector relay led, the port controller 55 is ineffective to exert speed control but operation of the starboard pilot motor E33 is effected under the control of the starboard controller 56 in the manner described above.

If the starboard controller 56 is turned to a lower speed position than the port controller 55, energization of the operating coil ill of the selector relay rec results in connection of the operating coil 2'65 of the port reverse current relay Be l to the starboard speed potentiometer 6'2, but without effect, the control of the starboard motor I33 still being effected by the starboard controller 56. If, however, the port controller 55 is turned to alowerspeed position than the starboard contr ller 55, energization of the operating coil llE oi the selector relay ltd results in disconnection of the operating coil I58 oi the starboard reverse current relay from the starboard speed potentiometer and con' ection or" the said coil to the port speed potentiometer 58, with the result that the starboard pilot motor I33 is for the time being controlled by the port controller 5'.

In any case the starboard controller con trols closure of the starboard direction contactors and the port controller controls closure or" the port direction contactors. However, when the ahead port direction contactor 22 has closed, the circuit of its coil 22"! is maintained through the first and fifth segments M4 and MB of the starboard drum controller and the auxiliary selector switch contact 363.

If now the starboard controller 55, say, is turned to an astern position the starboard pilot motor 133 is operated to the off position under control of the astern segment oi the switch-- ing device lie of the controller 56 and the auxiliary contact lie of the starboard ahead reversing contactor I87, and the starboard rcversing contactors operate in the manner al ready described. Upon opening or" the starboard lower contactor lle the starboard raise con tactor ll'G closes until the starboard generator field rheostat Hi5 reaches the position corresponding to that of the controller which is in the lower speed position.

If the port controller 55 is turned to the astern position the operation is a little difierent. As before the circuit of the coil 22? of the port ahead reversing contactor 229 is maintained through the fifth segment MS of the starboard drum and the auxiliary selector switch contact 308, until the starboard drum reaches the off position. The closure of the starboard lower contactor H9, however, is brought about by energization of its coil Hill through closure of a circuit including the astern segment 9! of the switching device (it of the port controller 55, the auxiliary contact 223 oi the port ahead reversing contactor 22d and the auxiliary selector switch contact 3! I. 1

When the starboard drum reaches the oil position, the port reversing contactors are operated, and, upon opening of the starboard lower contactor US, that controller which is in the lower speed position becomes effective in controlling movement of the starboard generator field rheostat ms to a corresponding position.

In one arrangement, a multi-pole transfer switch may be provided for transferring control from the bridge to the engine room and in the engine room may be provided port and starboard reversers and port and starboard speed controllers that exert direct control of the raise and lower contactors in a similar manner to the bridge controllers.

The arrangement has been described in connection with two motors and two generators, but naturally it may be applied to a system in which there are more than two motors or/and more than two generators. The prime movers may be of any desired type, the auxiliary excitation supply may be derived in some manner other than that described, for example from a separate prime mover and generator set.

Also the arrangement may be applied to an alternating current propulsion system in which speed control is effected by control of the speed of the turbine or other prime mover driving a generator. It may, for instance, be used in connection with the control arrangement described in our British patent specification No. 352,615 which relates to an alternating current system wherein the alternator speed and excitation are both varied.

In some instances it is possible to connect a port motor with a starboard generator and a starboard generator with a port motor. When such is the case it will be necessary to provide auxiliary contacts on the selector switches or suitably changing over the connections so that the port controller shall always control the port motor or motors and the starboard controller shall always control the starboard motor or motors.

I claim:-

1. A control system for an electric ship propulsion system which includes port and star board electric propulsion motors and a plurality of electric generators, comprising electrical connections and selective switching means adapted to connect the said motors separately to different generators or to the same generator, a plurality of regulating means adapted to control the output of the respective generators for the purpose of efiecting motor speed control, a plurality of reversing means respectively associated with the motors and adapted by control of the motor connections to effect reversal of the motors, port and ooard controllers adapted respectively to control the reversing means of the port and starboard rnotors and when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with different generators, separately to control the regulating means of the generators respectively operatively associated with the port and starboard motors, together with means associated with selective vitching means whereby when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with one generator either controller is adapted to exert control of the output of the said generator selector means arranged to be influenced by the relative positioning of the port and starboard ccntrollers and to exert a control to determine which of the controllers is eliective to control the output of the generator.

2. A control system for an electric ship propulsion system which includes port and starboard electric propulsion motors and a plurality of elec tric generators, comprising electrical connections and selective switching means adapted to connect the said motors separately to differ nt generators or to the same generator, a plurality of regulating means adapted to control the outputs of the respective generators for the purpose of effecting motor speed control, a plurality of reversing means respectively associated with the motors and adapted by control of the motor connections to effect reversal of the motors, port and starboard controllers adapted respectively to control the reversing means of the port and starboard motors and when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with different generators separately to control the regulating means of the generators respectively operatively associated with the port and starboard motors, together with means associated with selective switching means whereby when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with one generator either controller is adapted to exert control of the output of the said generator and selector means arranged to be influenced by the store or to the relative positioning of the port and starboard controllers and to exert a control to determine which of the controllers is efiective to control the output of the generator, at least until the said generator output control means has moved to an initial position,

3. A control system for an electric ship propulsion system which includes ort and starboard electric propulsion motors and a plurality of electric generators, comprising electrical connections and selective switching means adapted to connect the said motors separately to different generators or to the same enerator, a plurality of regulating means adapted to control the outputs oi the respective generat rs for the purpose of' eitecting motor speed control, a plurality of reversing means respectively associated with the motors and adapted by control of the motor con-- nections to eilect reversal of the motors, port and starboard controllers adapted respectively to control the reversing means or the port and starboard motors and when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with different generators separately to control the regulating, means of the generators respectively operatively associated with the port and starboard motors, together with means associated with selective switching means whereby when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with one generator either controller is adapted to exert control of the output of the said generator and selector relay means, said selector relay means comprising an operating w nding and said means having two operative positions and being arranged to be influenced by the relative positioning of the port and starboard controllers to move to one of said positions to determine which of the controllers is effective to control the output of the generator.

l. A control system for an electric ship propulsion system which includes port and starboard propulsion motors and a plurality of electric generators, comprising electrical connections and selective switching means adapted to connect the said motors separately to difierent genersarne generator, a plurality of regadapted to control the outputs of the respective generators "he purpose of eiiecting motor speed control, a plurality of versing means respectively ass ciated with the motors and adapted by control or" the motor connections to effect reversal of the motors, port and starboard controllers adapted respectl -ely to con ro l the reversing means of the port and starboard motors and when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with different generators separately to control the regulating means of the go. craters respectively operatively associated with the port and starboard motors, together with means associated with selective switching means whereby when the port and star board motors are cperatively associated with one generator either controller is adapted to exert control of the output of the said generator, selector relay means, said selector relay means cornprising an operating winding and said means having two operative positions and being arranged to be influenced by the relative positioning of the port and starboard controllers to move to one of said positions to determine which. of the controllers is efiective to control the output of the generator, means responsive both to a state of said lower controller and to a state of the means controlling the reversing or the said motor with which said, controller is associated, said latter reulating means sponsive means being arranged to. ensure that on movement of said controller from one operative position to a reverse position, the said generator output control means is moved to said initial posi tion before said motor reversing means operate to reverse said motor,

5. A control system for an electric ship propulsion system which includes port and starboard electric propulsion motors and a plurality of electric generators, comprising electrical connections and selective switching means adapted to connect the said motors separately to different generators or to the same generator, a plurality of regulating means adapted to control the outputs of the respective generators for the purpose of effecting motor speed control, a plurality of reversing means respectively associated with the motors and adapted by control oi? the motor connections to eilect reversal of the motors, port and starboard controllers adapted respectively to control the reversing means of the port and starboard motors and when the port and starboard motors are operatively associated with different generators separately to control the regulating means of the generators respectively operatively associated with the port and starboard motors, together with means associated with selective switching means whereby when he port and starboard motors are operatively associated with one generator either controller is adapted to exert control of the output of the said generator, selector relay means, said selector relay means comprising an operating winding and said means having two operative positions and being arranged to be influenced by the relative positioning of the port and starboard controllers to move to one of said positions to determine which of the controllers is effective to control the output of the generator, each of said controllers comprising a. speed setting potentiometer, a selector potentiometer and a direction switching means, each of said speed setting potentiometers operating respectively to determine the setting of said regulating means controlling the output of the associated generator, and selector means arranged to be influenced by the relative positioning of the port and starboard controllers and to exert a control to determine which or" the controllers is effective to control the output of the generator, said selector potentiom ters in said controllers being arranged to be connected through said winding of said selector relay to effect movement of said selector relay means to an operative position and said direction switching means in said controllers eiiecting control of said motor field excitation circuits.

6. In an electric ship propulsion system, having motors for driving starboard and port pro pellers, starboard and port generators for delivering current for operating the respective motors, controllers having ahead and astern sections, means controlled by said controllers for determining the direction of rotation of the respective motors, means controlled by said controllers for varying the speed of the motors by varying the current delivered by the respective generators and means for automatically switching control of the current delivered by the generators from one controller to the other when the positions of the respective controllers are difierent.

7. In an electric ship propulsion system, having motors for driving starboard and port propellers, a corresponding number of generators for delivering current for operating said motors, selector switches for connecting said motors for operation from the corresponding or from one or the other of said generators, controllers having ahead and astern sections for controlling the respective motors, means controlled by said controllers for varying the amount of current delivered by the respective generators and automatic means for switching control of said last named means from one controller to another when the motors are operated from one or another of the generators.

8. In an electric ship propulsion system, having motors for driving starboard and port propellers, corresponding generators for delivering current for operating the respective motors,

which is determined by said selector relay and 10 means controlled by the respective controllers for operating the corresponding reverse current relays according to operation of said selector relay.

HEERBERT JOHN COA'I'ES. 

